UNODC Urges Liechtenstein to "Enhance its Financial Integrity"

Vienna, 21 February (UNODC)- The Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Antonio Maria Costa, today hailed the Principality of Liechtenstein's recent ratification of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime - including its Protocols against human trafficking and the smuggling of migrants - as an important step in the global fight against transnational threats.

"This will further strengthen Liechtenstein's efforts to combat money-laundering and enhance its integrity as an important financial centre", said Mr. Costa. "It also opens the way for better mutual legal assistance, and eliminates banking secrecy as an impediment to prosecuting financial crimes". He warned that "tax havens should not be used to shelter the proceeds of crime".

He called on Liechtenstein to go one step further and ratify the United Nations Convention against Corruption. "This would be a clear signal of Liechtenstein's commitment to fighting corruption and improving international efforts to recover stolen assets. We need all countries, large and small, to prevent dirty money from finding a safe haven" said the head of UNODC.